(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Sergio García Sánchez. In engaging comic-format style, ­Spiegelman and Sánchez (Lost in NYC, rev. 7/15) retell the Latin American folktale "Blancaflor," about the youngest daughter of a monstrous ogre. The ogre has cast a spell on a witless handsome prince, which grants the prince good luck every time he plays a game. On the day this luck is set to expire, the ogre invites him to play "the ogre's three," consisting of seemingly unwinnable quests. ­Blancaflor uses her own magical powers to assist the prince. Spiegelman's retelling is a fresh take on the classic story, with contemporary and effortless language that will resonate with modern audiences. Sánchez's energetic illustrations are a visual delight (particularly on the interspersed double-page spreads). Blancaflor is depicted with long brown braids, brown skin, and a comely countenance. Her strength shines through in a calm manner: Blancaflor creates her own fate and does not accept defeat, even when fulfilling the quests nearly costs her her life. The exaggeratedly elongated limbs of the figures reflect the enchanted world in which the characters reside, and the mercurial moods of the ogre are especially well depicted. F. Isabel Campoy writes an informative introduction, and Spiegelman appends an essay on the importance of fairy tales, along with a bibliography. Simultaneously published in Spanish.

Reviewer: Yesica Hurd | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(3) 4-6 Toon Graphic series. Translated by Lola Moral. Illustrated by Sergio García Sánchez. Color by Lola Moral. Mr. Bartle's sixth graders explore the NYC subway on their way to the Empire State Building. Newcomer and lone wolf Pablo gets on the wrong train; good-natured Alicia follows. This graphic novel's detail-filled art vividly conveys scenes below and above ground. The Spanish translation is more formal than the original English but overall is serviceable. Brief essays and historic photographs appended. Concurrently published in English. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: J. Alex Mazariegos

(1) 4-6 Toon Graphic series. Illustrated by Sergio García Sánchez. Color by Lola Moral. Mr. Bartle's sixth graders explore the NYC subway on their way to the Empire State Building. Newcomer Pablo, a self-described lone wolf, gets on the wrong train; his good-natured partner Alicia follows. This vibrant graphic-novel picture book superbly matches lively text with detail-filled art, vividly conveying the kids' travels below and above ground. Informative, brief essays and historic photographs appended. Concurrently published in Spanish. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015